A Nigerian woman who was formerly a member of the Jehovah's Witness religious group has publicly revealed the severe consequences members face if they accept a medically prescribed blood transfusion. Her disclosure comes amid online discussions concerning the faith's stance on medical treatment.
The Personal Card and a Directive to Die
The former member, who shared her experience on the social media platform X under the handle @carrotxbt, stated that during her time in the organization, she carried a card on her person at all times. This card explicitly instructed that if she were ever in an accident and required a blood transfusion to survive, she should be left to die. She described this as a standard practice among members, highlighting the group's strict interpretation of biblical passages that prohibit consuming blood.
Her revelations gained traction following the case of another Nigerian Jehovah's Witness, known online as Aunty Esther, who publicly refused blood transfusions while battling cancer. This incident sparked widespread debate and curiosity about the internal rules of the religious sect.
The Ultimate Penalty: Complete Social Ostracism
According to the ex-member, accepting a blood transfusion triggers the most severe form of discipline within the Jehovah's Witness community: disfellowshipping. However, she emphasized that the penalty extends far beyond formal expulsion from the congregation.
She explained that a disfellowshipped person is subjected to total social shunning by all other members. This mandate requires even the closest family members who are in the faith to cut off all communication. This means parents, siblings, and lifelong friends will no longer speak to or associate with the individual.
"Not your parents. Not your siblings. Not your friends. Not any member of the organization. You will be an outcast," she tweeted. She added that if the person lived with their parents, they would be thrown out of the family home and disowned after surviving the medical procedure that required the transfusion.
Psychological Impact and Broader Implications
The former member stressed that the full extent of the psychological impact of being part of the group only becomes clear after leaving. She stated that the fear and control mechanisms run deep, affecting major life decisions.
She also noted that the same penalty of disfellowshipping and shunning applies to members who marry Christians from other denominations. This, she said, was a primary reason she left, claiming, "This religion ruined my family. I had to run away."
Her testimony resonated with many Nigerians online, sparking a flood of reactions. Some users shared similar stories of knowing Jehovah's Witnesses who carried the same directive card. Others recounted knowing individuals who were completely cut off by their families for leaving the faith, with one user, @saint_enny, sharing that they housed an ex-member whose own twin brother severed ties with him.
The discussion also raised theological questions, with users inquiring about the sect's views on salvation and whether they believe only their members are saved. The case underscores the complex intersection of faith, medical ethics, and family dynamics within certain religious communities in Nigeria.
